The All Blacks have will wear a white jersey against Scotland for just the second time in the history of matches between the two nations at Murrayfield Stadium.
Traditionally, in rugby, it has been the home team that has changed to the alternate jersey in the event of a kit clash, which is usually the case in this match-up, as Scotland’s navy blue is difficult to differentiate from New Zealand’s black.
While this tradition has changed in the Six Nations to mirror football, where the visitors change from their home colours, with Italy donning a white jersey against Scotland earlier this year, this isn’t the only reason for Saturday’s encounter.
Why the All Blacks are wearing white
This is because Scotland will be wearing a commemorative jersey as the Scottish Rugby Union celebrates 100 years of Murrayfield, as the Scots look for their first-ever win over the All Blacks in 120 years of trying.
Over in France, the Springboks will also be wearing a white jersey, but that is for a different reason as the Quilter Nations Series, run by the Six Nations, adheres to World Rugby’s guideline for colourblind fans. This would come into play in World Rugby-run competitions when the Springboks and All Blacks collide.
Why the Springboks are in white jerseys against France and could be for the rest of 2025
The tradition of the home teams wearing alternate jerseys comes from historical tours, as it meant that touring teams wouldn’t have to bring an extra set of jerseys with them to avoid a clash.
However, there is no longer a set standard that all adhere to, as the All Blacks wore their usual black kit against France in New Zealand earlier this year.
Last week, it was Scotland who wore their alternate kit against the USA, with both nations having dark blue kits.
Ireland wore green in South Africa last year, but Italy puzzlingly wore white against the Springboks in July.
While World Rugby’s guidelines around aiding colourblind fans is not compulsory in competitions not run by the game’s governing body, the Six Nations teams have largely adopted it but that is not true for SANZAAR countries, notably South Africa and New Zealand.
The Springboks and All Blacks are set to wear their usual green and gold, and black, respectively, during next year’s Greatest Rivalry tour, ignoring World Rugby’s pleas to comply.
Meanwhile, All Blacks boss Scott Robertson said that while New Zealand have enjoyed their time in Edinburgh, they were finding Scotland’s national musical instrument somewhat repetitive.
“There’s a guy with bagpipes down on the corner (near the team hotel) for the last three days,” he said.
“I’m not sure if he’s supposed to be there or not but I’ll tell you what, it sounds like the same song… after a while they blur together.”
Ranked: Every home nation’s rugby shirt for the Autumn Nations Series
The teams
Scotland: 15 Blair Kinghorn, 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Rory Hutchinson, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 Kyle Steyn, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Ben White, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Matt Fagerson, 6 Gregor Brown, 5 Grant Gilchrist, 4 Scott Cummings, 3 D’Arcy Rae, 2 Ewan Ashman, 1 Pierre Schoeman
Replacements: 16 George Turner, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 Elliot Millar Mills, 19 Marshall Sykes, 20 Rory Darge, 21 Josh Bayliss, 22 Jamie Dobie, 23 Tom Jordan
All Blacks: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Leroy Carter, 13 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Peter Lakai, 7 Ardie Savea (c), 6 Wallace Sititi, 5 Fabian Holland, 4 Josh Lord, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Sam Darry, 20 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Billy Proctor, 23 Damian McKenzie
Date: Saturday, November 8
Venue: Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
Kick-off: 15:10 local (04:10 NZT)
Referee: Nic Berry (RA)
Assistant referees: Pierre Brousset (FFR) and Morné Ferreira (SARU)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)
FRPO: Marius Jonker (SARU)